Getting a new MPC
 

I'm looking into buying a new MPC, and would appreciate any advice. Right now I'm scoping a MPC 1000. I feel like it's a good balance between possible overkill, and giving myself a product that I wont out grow too quickly. I'm just getting in to the producing game, so any pro-tips welcome. Should I downgrade to the 500? Or bump up? And is this going to provide enough fun for right now, or do I need to get a turn-table right now?

This thread is in the wrong forum. It should be in the music production forum.
But anyway, If you're new to the production game I would seriously scrap the idea of buying any MPC outboard hardware like the akai which runs at a fairly good deal for $1,000 on musicians friend and spend HALF that on some quality software like Reason 4 (its fun, and definitely professional level. you'll love it) and a cheap m-audio midi trigger board and some decent monitors.
What you'll find after dropping money on a piece of hardware like the akai is that your just going to have to spend twice that amount of money just do do anything with the equipment you just bought. Not fun. Believe me, I've been there.
PM me with the following and i'll try to work with you if you're interested:
what you already own
what you want to do (produce, record, compose etc.)
what your working budget is

Yeah, I was looking into Reaper and Acid Pro, the problem is I'm in Iraq and get horrible internet connection. I would never be able to download anything with it. Also, I want something more tangible. I'd rather pay for "the real thing" than DL software.

However, if I can just get the stuff sent to me, I might go that route. Especially because the looming mountain of extra sht I need to buy is starting to cast it's shadow.
I own a laptop, that's really it right now.
I want to produce music.
Budget is... well I'd like to keep it under a grand. But that's not strict.

Seriously, in this day and age software is the real thing, besides going the hardware route is SUCH a money pit!., and completely unnecessary, especially if, I'm assuming you're producing mainly hip-hop, which is mainly electronic based music in the first place. If you were recording live musicians their may be some, but very little convincing argument for building a hardware production studio, but with your intentions and budget it would really be a waste of money.
Go to Propellerhead Software - Products - Reason to check out the software I was telling you about. Click on DOWNLOADS and you should be able to get a demo if you're up for waiting for the thing to download. Thre's also a comprehensive tutorial on the same page. Unlike a lot of production software Reason is a virtual hardware rack system that allows you to use a practically infinite amount of combinations to get the desired outcome (ie if you feel like your project needs 5 sequencers 2 drum machines and a bass synthesizer its gotcha' covered). Drop $500 on that $300 on a decent pair of powered studio monitors $100 on a midi keyboard/trigger pad, and $100 on some tasty aftermarket beats and samples (reason does come with some, but you'll want to stock up on the flavor) and you're in the business, and in no less of a way than anyone that has their own studio. In fact it is a studio.

Yo this is indeed great advice, better than I'd hoped for. Thanks a lot, man.

I just wanna get an 808 machine or something. Is this that kind of equipment?